Faithful Promises

fam·i·ly  noun /ˈfam(ə)lē/

1  : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head (household)

2  a : a group of persons of common ancestry (clan)

    b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock (race)

3  a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation (fellowship)

In our life, family looks like so many things: our marriage and children, my parents, our siblings and their families (nieces and nephews and in-laws’ families), aunts and uncles, cousins and their families, my grandmother, best friends and their families that have adopted us as their own, old family friends, church families, neighbors, coworkers, friends that we see often, friends we wish we had more time to see, friends who you call after months and feel like you spoke just yesterday…

When we started our life as man and wife, we had a marriage mission statement to love our family.  We promised to put God first, to be true to each other, to love and cherish our children, and to focus on our extended family.  It’s all important, but it was the order that was paramount.  Prioritizing when you are in the midst of living life can be a challenge… but, if you are proactive by making God paramount, if He is superior, then His promises are all you really need.

We are on an adventure and, sometimes in the midst of life’s chaos, I need a reminder that there is more… Eternal perspective. 

Often, the Spirit moves me through songs.  I’ve had a lot to think about today:

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord

“Always” by Kristian Stanfill

I will keep my eyes fixed on His perspective.  Peace comes in resting in His promises. 

I won’t keep searching for answers

That aren’t here to find

All I know is I’m not home yet

This is not where I belong

Take this world and give me Jesus

“Where I Belong” by Building 429

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness
“Sweetly Broken” by Jeremy Riddle

I will remember God’s love.  He gave us Jesus.  He had and has a plan.  I will rest in Him.

Today we said farewell, for now, to our church family.  I’m still processing the message, thinking of where I put my focus and how I walk in faith.  I will continue to cherish the hugs and fellowship.  It made my heart happy to see my husband so caught up in worship, playing his guitar and using his gifts.  And I smiled hearing my two boys singing their favorite song along with our church body…

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The song, “10,000 Reasons,” by Matt Redmond continues:

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

As Easter approaches, I will continue to sing “Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name. Lord, I'll worship Your holy name.”  As we drive to a new state and transition to a new house, I will walk in faith knowing that I will continue to be transformed.  I will fellowship with new friends and hold all my family close in my heart.  I will try to keep an eternal perspective.  I will celebrate Easter remembering God’s definition of family…

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-6)

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. (Romans 8:16)

I will cherish that promise!